1. First Virtual Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) Meeting held on 8 January 2015

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Janis Karklins and attended by 42 participants. The meeting discussed the preliminary reports on the work of the Working Groups (WG) on title and sub-titles, selection criteria, inter-sessional work, Internet Governance Forum (IGF) self-assessment, and remote participation in preparation for IGF 2015. Mr. Karklins mentioned the upcoming World Economic Forum (WEF) to be held on 21-24 January 2015 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The WEF will discuss the future of internet in the new cyber world order and in the new digital context. The next virtual meeting will be held on 21 January 2015 to further discuss the work of the WG.

2. Capacity Building Workshop on E-Participation in Nairobi, Kenya from 13 to 16 January 2015

DPADM held its second national capacity building workshop on e-participation under a development account project in Nairobi, Kenya, from 13 to 16 January 2015. Aimed at Kenyan civil servants at both the national and regional levels, the workshop drew nearly fifty participants to be trained on employing the Measurement and Evaluation Tool for Engagement and e-PARTICIPATION (METEP). It also aimed at raising awareness of policies and best practices on citizen engagement through Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). This four-day event follows DPADM’s first national e-participation workshop, held in Kazakhstan in October 2014.

3. Preparations for the Regional Consultative Meetings on “E-Government for Sustainable Development” in Seoul, Brussels and Tallinn

DPADM, with active support from the United Nations Project Office on Governance (UNPOG), is preparing to convene Regional Consultative Meetings on “E-Government for Sustainable Development” in February in Seoul on 9-10, Brussels on 16-17, and Tallinn on 19-20. Invitations have been sent out to public administration experts and practitioners from approximately 70 countries for these three meetings.

4. DPADM holds second World e-Governments Organization of Cities and Local Governments (WeGO) Consultation Meeting on Joint Session for 2015 Jeju Forum

DPADM and UNPOG had a second consultation meeting with representatives from WeGO on 12 January on the joint session the two parties are organizing for the forthcoming 2015 Jeju Forum. Views and ideas on the themes for the session, potential resource persons and participants, as well as budget and timeline, were discussed.

Multimedia Development Corporation of Malaysia (MDeC) Vice-President, Mr.Niran Noor and Senior Manager, Mr. Mohd Safuan, met with DPADM as follow up to a visit in September 2014.The MDeC delegation was accompanied by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Malaysia to the United Nations, Mr. Raja Reza and by the Second Secretary Mr. Ridzwan Shahabudin. The delegation reiterated Malaysia's focus on developing its digital economy through an improved e-government strategy as a vital component to the country's digital government initiative. They also expressed their Government’s commitment to promote knowledge sharing and to foster cooperation with UNDESA in further developing its national e government strategy and as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2015. MDeC is a public-private corporation created by the Government of Malaysia in 1996 to oversee the development of Digital Malaysia and to advise the Government on related legislation and policies, as well as on standards for multimedia operations.

6. The Role of Supreme Audit Institutions in Implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda

DPADM organised a panel on “The Independent Oversight Role of Supreme Audit Institutions in Implementing the Post-2015 Development Agenda” in New York on 21 January 2015 in collaboration with the Permanent Missions of Austria, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Republic of Korea. The panel discussed how the United Nations and Member States can support the supreme audit institutions (SAIs) in promoting efficient, accountable, effective and transparent public administration and governance in achieving nationally and internationally agreed development goals in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. Furthermore, the panel considered how the independence of SAIs and related capacity-building needs, as well as the improvement of public accounting systems could be instrumental in implementing the post-2015 development agenda.

7. DPADM Organized an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Policy Integration in Government in Pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals 28-29 January

The EGM brought together experts from government, academia, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and other relevant organizations. They reviewed developments in the field of policy integration in government administration, the conditions that make policy integration viable and obstacles to its adoption as a common practice in government institutions. The meeting tackled the “what?” and “how?” of integration, with special consideration of the prospects for policy integration in low- and middle-income countries. A summary report will be prepared and conveyed to the 14th Session of Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) for consideration. The EGM also benefited from participation of ASG Gass and other DESA colleagues.

8. Study Visit of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) Participants to Bahrain's National E-Government Programme

Within the framework of the Development Account Project “Strengthening Capacities of the Public Sector in Least Developed Countries to Deliver Quality Services Equitably through the Transfer and Adaptation of Innovative Practices”, DPADM conducted a second study visit to Manama, Bahrain on 24 to 29 January. The interested participants from some 20 LDCs came to learn about Bahrain’s National E-Government Programme. The main purpose of the study tour was to support the adaptation and implementation of e-government practices in LDCs through an in-depth practical and hands-on learning experience. During the study tour, participants were presented with the entire e-Government strategy and programme of Bahrain. A special effort was made to address particular interest of those LDCs, including e-procurement, payroll administration, and health or education services modules.

9. Meeting with Omani Delegation on E-Government for Sustainable Development on 26 January 2015 at the United Nations Headquarters

At the request of the Sultanate of Oman, DPADM hosted an official delegation of Oman headed by Her Excellency Mrs. Lyutha Al-Mughairy, Permanent Representative of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations and Mr. Zawan Al-Sabti Oman National Portal Director. During the meeting DPADM presented to the Omani Delegation the work of the Division and some of its publications and tools such as the United Nations E-Government Survey 2014, United Nations Compendium of Innovative E-Government Practices, United Nations Public Service Awards and the Measurement and Evaluation Tool for Engagement and e-Participation (METEP). The contribution and cooperation of Omani’s government in these publications and events was duly recognized. The delegation expressed appreciation for the work of DPADM in advancing public administration and governance agendas, especially e-government readiness at the global, regional and national levels. DPADM and the Omani Delegation reiterated their commitment to cooperation in the future.

On 7 January, UN Women concluded the first round of evaluations for Category 4 on ‘Gender Responsive Delivery of Public Services’. A total of 33 cases were evaluated in this category. The United Nations Public Service Awards team is now collecting supporting documents from successful initiatives for the second round of evaluation.